The Effects of Unplanned Pregnancy Among College Women Wendi A. Story Thesis submitted to the faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Dr. Elizabeth Creamer, Chair Dr. Patricia Hyer Dr. Donna Lisker April 13, 1999 Blacksburg, Virginia Keywords: pregnancy, college women, college student, abortion Copyright 1999, Wendi A. Story
The Effects of Unplanned Pregnancy Among College Women Wendi A. Story (ABSTRACT) The majority of today s college students engage in sexual intercourse (Abler & Sedlacek, 1989), generally with multiple partners (Netting, 1980). Many of these sexually active students use contraception; many do not. Since students are engaging in intercourse and some are failing to use contraceptives properly or not using contraceptives at all, it is not surprising that 12% of college students report either experiencing or being involved in unplanned pregnancy (Elliot & Brantley, 1997). Wiley, James, Funey, and Jordan-Belver (1997) estimate that this number may be closer to 23% of college students. While both studies derived their different percentages from different college student populations, both percentages are significant. Little descriptive knowledge about the experience of unplanned pregnancy for college women exists. The purpose of this study was to describe traditional aged (18-22 years old) women s perceptions of the effects of unplanned pregnancy while enrolled full-time in an institution of higher education. The study examined the effects of the pregnancy from conception through the pregnancy s outcome. It also examined long term or on-going effects that women experienced after the termination or miscarriage. The study did not investigate the effects women attributed to the pregnancy s outcome. Ten traditional aged college women who had experienced an unplanned pregnancy while enrolled as a full-time student in a university in the mid-atlantic region volunteered to participate in a one to two hour interview. The interview questions focused ii
on the effects they experienced as a result of the pregnancy. The women were recruited to the study through flyers and personal announcements I made to several large undergraduate classes and student organizations. The sample of this study was ethnically diverse. Five of the ten women were ethnic minorities: three African American women, one Asian American woman, and one bi-racial Hispanic woman. The sample was similar in the outcome of the pregnancy. Nine women terminated the pregnancy; one woman miscarried. There are several significant findings of the study. First, the women in this study did not become pregnant as a result of a casual sexual encounter. All of the women conceived within the context of a committed relationship. This runs counter to the stereotype that college women become pregnant as a result of careless, one night stands. Second, women reported a significant number of long term effects associated with the pregnancy. Long term effects are those that last a year or more. The most prevalent of these effects are feelings of guilt and fear of being stigmatized for their experience. These women are haunted by feelings of guilt. The guilt makes it difficult for them to associate with peers and family because the subject of pregnancy and abortion are discussed frequently. The women who participated in this study fear being socially marked or stigmatized because of the pregnancy. They fear they will be judged negatively by their peers and family because they experienced pregnancy and abortion. The guilt, shame, fear, and sense of stigma the participants reported are not just individual attributes but a reflection of wider social views about women s responsibility for sexuality and reproduction. Most women in this study did not tell their families of their experience. The iii
majority of the women revealed their situation to their partner and only one or two friends. Keeping the situation a secret heightened the sense of isolation and depression experienced by the women. The issue of unplanned pregnancy among college women is rarely discussed. The women who experienced this did not feel safe enough on campus to come forward to seek help. They suffered personal anguish and often negative academic impacts. Universities need to create safe environments for these women to disclose their experience. Educational programs and support groups run by counseling centers or women s centers would be a step toward a safer environment for these women. Families and friends of women who experience an unplanned pregnancy can assist their loved one by expressing emotional support and being cautious about the judgmental things they say about pregnancy and abortion. Despite being conceived within a committed relationship, participants clearly saw the pregnancy as something that was their responsibility. Findings suggest that some women experience a developmental process in their response to the unplanned pregnancy, moving from a position of irresponsibility to a position of responsibility. Future research may examine the stages of this process and how it compares to existing developmental theory. iv
Dedication This project is dedicated to two women who have changed my life, Tisha and Dayna. To Tisha, for exhibiting the most courage I have ever seen demonstrated. You are a constant source of inspiration for me. To Dayna, for speaking the truth. Thank you for showing me the way to personal and spiritual honesty. I am forever indebted to your generosity of love and support. This project is also dedicated to the ten women who shared their stories with me. They are strong young women. I am grateful for their courage.
Acknowledgments First and foremost, I must acknowledge my partner, Andrew McFarland. His fresh perspective carried me through some very difficult points in my graduate experience. I thank him for his love, understanding, and belief in me. I also thank my family, the Storys and McFarlands for their generous words of encouragement. Dr. Elizabeth Creamer deserves my most heartfelt gratitude for her dedication to this project. She went above and beyond the call of duty. Elizabeth helped me find my voice and confidence as a beginning scholar. Her academic and personal wisdom are woven throughout this project and in my own life. I am grateful for her guidance. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Patricia Hyer and Dr. Donna Lisker. I thank them for their insightful contributions to this project. I appreciated their willingness to give to my future. They are brilliant women. Last, I would like to thank the rest of the individuals who supported me throughout my graduate work. Alicia Cohen, was a true friend and mentor. I thank her for understanding my insanity. Dr. Steve Janosik, was a faithful supporter. He always encouraged my academic and personal endeavors. I also thank the rest of the Higher Education and Student Affairs faculty and the 1997 cohort. Each of them touched me in a very unique way. vi
Table of Contents Abstract......ii Dedication......v Acknowledgments......vi Chapter One: Introduction.......1 Campuses: What s Going On..2 Purpose of the Study...4 Research Questions. 5 Significance of the Study. 6 Limitations..7 College and University Response to Unplanned Pregnancy 8 Organization of the Study. 9 Chapter Two: Literature Review.. 10 The Scope of Unplanned Pregnancy.11 Changes in Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors Over Time.12 More Sex... 12 Failed Contraceptives 14 Education, Abortion, and Pregnancy.. 16 Abortion, Parenthood, and the College Years.. 18 Pregnancy as Crisis or Development: Theoretical Perspectives... 19 vii
Crisis..... 19 Development.....20 viii
How Experiences of Pregnancy Vary Between Women... 21 Social Support.. 23 Life History... 24 Personality.25 Physical Experiences 26 The Role of the Administrator.. 28 Summary... 29 Chapter Three: Methodology 30 Sample Selection...30 Instrumentation. 32 Data Collection Procedures...32 Credibility..34 Data Analysis Procedures..34 Chapter Four: Findings..37 Sample...38 Participant Profiles......39 Immediate Effects..42 Physical Symptoms 43 Emotional Distress 43 Indecision..44 Personalizing Pregnancy 45 Partner Blaming.46 ix
Intermediate Effects..47 Emotional Distress 48 Inadequate Partner Support..49 Inattention to Academics..50 Guilt..51 Stigma...52 Long Term Effects 53 Guilt..53 Stigma...54 Partner Bonding 55 Peer Bonding.56 Maturity.57 Recall.58 Future 59 Family Secrecy..60 Summary...63 Chapter 5: Discussion and Conclusions 65 Surprises 65 Relationship Sex 65 Long Term Effects 66 Family Secrecy..67 Hypotheses... 68 x
Affiliation with Peers.68 Responsibility 69 Caveats..70 Sample Size...70 Volunteer Participants...71 Race..71 Termination...71 Implications for Practice 72 Peers..72 Professors, Administrators, and Counselors 73 Family 74 Need for Future Research.75 Closing Remarks...77 References..80 Appendix......84 xi